In its ongoing efforts to curb illegal smuggling, the Nigerian Customs Service has seized 11,650 litres of petroleum motor spirits (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in Kebbi.
During a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, Comptroller of the command, Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, announced that the command also confiscated 40 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 50 bales of secondhand clothing, 28 cartons of 50mg Diclofenac tablets, and 10 jerry cans of vegetable oil. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these items is fourteen million, seven hundred and ninety-two thousand, four hundred naira.
Ojike stated that the seized PMS would be auctioned to the public, expected to generate eight million, one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, one hundred eighty-three naira (N8,178,183), which will be paid into the Federal Government’s coffers.
He added, “The team generated twenty-five million, eight hundred and forty-seven thousand, six hundred and eleven naira (N25,847,611) in June, marking a 67.6% increase compared to the previous month of May.”
In a separate briefing in Birnin Kebbi, Comptroller Hussien Ejibunu, the National Coordinator of Operation WHIRLWIND, highlighted the significant achievements of the operatives in the Sokoto Area Command, part of Zone D’ axis.
Ejibunu stated, “We have disrupted and dismantled the network of cartels and smugglers of Premium Motor Spirit nationwide as the operation is taking place simultaneously across our national borders.”
He emphasized the continuous nature of the operation until the eradication of smuggling and diversion of petroleum products. This operation is coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and other law enforcement agencies.
Ejibunu disclosed, “Today, we present another seizure of 661 kegs of PMS, with some containing 30 and 40 litres each, along with 15 drums of PMS, each containing 200 litres. This totals 79,500 litres of PMS with a DPV of fifty-five million, seven hundred and twenty-nine thousand, five hundred naira. The interception occurred across Kebbi and Sokoto States.”
He further mentioned that one filling station was sealed off and handed over to the NMDPRA for further investigation.
Ejibunu highlighted the close monitoring by the operatives, who are in daily contact with a control room in Abuja, managed by NCS officers and NMDPRA staff. This control room monitors the daily distribution of petrol to ensure compliance with regulatory rules and tackle issues of diversion.
He urged members of the smuggling cartels to reconsider and engage in legitimate business, warning that the Nigerian Customs Service would pursue them as economic saboteurs, leaving no room for their illegal activities.
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